Not getting my mojo

[Zoomboxer]

Came on here to get some tips and ideas on what to get. And have a general look aorund for different viewpoints on different cameras and look at a few pics.

Plan was originally to get a D3100 after reading a magazine's write up in WH Smiths (as you do) - price was just right and had ruled out the 1100d as other reviews seemed to suggest going for the 3100. I do not have the money for anything else tho' the 5100 looks the better choice and, recently, the 3200 seemed to tick even more boxes.

But I have just started looking a Bridge Cameras and these seem an even better choice - things like the P510 and HS30 for example.

I am now getting confused with the various bits of lenses around - some auto-focus some don't, some are prime some are not. Then there are the various camera models and lenses - separated by, perhaps, just a single letter or number - example the cannon 18-55mm comes with IS or not.

I have a Fuji "point and shoot" which comes out at holidays or high days time. Photos are taken, transferred to PC, some are ordered to be deleted D) by you know who and moved to a memory stick and usually never get seen again.

I am struggling to justify spending £300-350 odd just to take better photos of my holidays. Threads on here seem to suggest that I will more than likely be upgrading to a better camera or glass in the future.

This is proving a complicated thing to get into so any suggestions, ideas, tips and tricks that anyone can suggest that will help me to appreciate what you guys do day-to-day. Thanks.

 

[Phil V]

Start with the basics; A better camera won't give you better pictures. It'll give ayou the opportunity to take better control and produce much better pictures - and many options to take much worse pictures.

Learning how to use the camera will get you better pictures, but as you get better, you realise the limitations of your gear, that's when the upgrades start.

Depending on your personality, you'll either give it up after a short while or it'll become a big part of your life and you'll have loads of fun and capture some great memories.

As to the gear, it doesn't matter that much for your first camera / lens combo, at that price point they're fairly similar. Although you should be aware that those 2 Fuji cameras aren't DSLRs. In lots of ways (to many people) they're better - but they're flawed in other ways too. (I wouldn't use a bridge camera, but I often recommend them to friends)

 

[ernesto]

It really does depend on what you want a camera for, how technical you are and what it may lead to.

I have only been into photography for a year and still use a camera for the same purposes. I like to go somewhere (near or far) walk around with camera in hand and take photos of whatever I fancy. I have no intention of specializing so need nothing more than a basic DSLR and one lens.
The reason I use a DSLR is because it meets my requirements (very good image quality for the price, operates quickly (mainly focusing), feels good in the hand and has a decent viewfinder)
I tried various compacts and didn't like them, pretty much for the opposite reasons of why I like the DSLR)

However, what you are happiest with will depend on you only. I think people really do overthink the whole thing. Admittedly I tried a few different options before settling but it was fun to use different cameras and I now know I have made the right choice. It didn't really cost much either as most were bought used.
It may not matter how much you think about it, you won't really know until you use them.

 

[Simon photo]

Have a look at the micro four thirds cameras, from the likes of olympus, Panasonic etc.
Many models around, they have all the functionality of digital single lens reflex cameras and plenty of scope for lens choice and have been around long enough now for you to grab a used bargain.
I got myself an epl1 last year to go along with my other kit and its great. I haven't got the designated lenses for it, i use old manual lenses from the om series film cameras but even thats fun, looking for old cheap lenses. Worth a look.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

For most people, an slr or even a csc is more camera than they need. A high end compact or bridge will do everything they need, albeit without the final nth degree of image quality, as prints are rarely going to be bigger than 7x5 and most likely only ever going to be viewed on a computer.

Although I have an slr and a vast collection of lenses that I use for my 'serious' photography, for high days and holidays, it is my compact that I tend to take and have rarely regretted not having my slr with me.

 

[Zoomboxer]

For most people, an slr or even a csc is more camera than they need. A high end compact or bridge will do everything they need, albeit without the final nth degree of image quality, as prints are rarely going to be bigger than 7x5 and most likely only ever going to be viewed on a computer.

I think this is more likely to what will happen to the final product - viewed on computer and rarely printed - have you seen the cost of inks

Soooooo - next quesiton is:

A high end bridge costing, say, the price of a D3100, will probably be good enough and even out-perform the 3100 (in some respects)

 

[viewfromthenorth]

You will be losing certain things like near instantaneous shutter response, autofocus speed, low light capability, shallow depth of field, on a bridge or compact. However, you will never have to worry about changing or upgrading lenses, and the cameras are likely to be lighter and smaller.

Will it out perform a 3100? Not sure, depends on what criteria you are looking at, and how you are going to use it, i.e. what subjects you are going to be shooting. From my own experience, the holiday and general snaps (buildings, scenic views, family snaps) that I take on my Fuji X10 are no better or worse than the ones I take on my Nikon D700. For everything else, i.e. the stuff I have on my website, I tend to use SLR's.

 

[ernesto]

I think this is more likely to what will happen to the final product - viewed on computer and rarely printed - have you seen the cost of inks

Soooooo - next quesiton is:

A high end bridge costing, say, the price of a D3100, will probably be good enough and even out-perform the 3100 (in some respects)

I only view my images on a computer but the screen is 23" and it is nice to have good IQ.
The bridge will outperform the 3100 in zoomability but for me would be poorer in pretty much all other important areas (IQ, DoF, focus speed, dynamic range, viewfinder).

It all goes back to what the OP ultimately wants and what he enjoys using. He may go through a few options before settling on one.

 

[Phil V]

I think this is more likely to what will happen to the final product - viewed on computer and rarely printed - have you seen the cost of inks

Soooooo - next quesiton is:

A high end bridge costing, say, the price of a D3100, will probably be good enough and even out-perform the 3100 (in some respects)

Ignore the cost of inks (read the recent thread on recommendations for a printer).

It really does depend on what's most important to you, I couldn't do without a DSLR, but I'm not 'average'. A bridge camera is small and light and will give a great zoom range that'd cost thousands on a DSLR. But it won't give you the DoF control, the same level of ease of general control, or the image quality.

 

[Zoomboxer]

Just found out about the Fuji X10 - complicating things even further .

Pocket (ish) sized, takes good shots - seen them in the X10 owner's thread - can fiddle about with settings a bit, decent (to me) zoom.

Not sure if the retro look grabs me - need to see one in the flesh.

Perhaps, writing down a wish list (so far)

D3100
X10
P150

and "playing" around with them in a shop might help a bit.

But.... have also looked at 2nd hand stuff - some nice D40s on MPB site.

Decisions, decisions